Macon Reporter

Meridian Community Unit School District No. 15 Board of Education Met June 15.

Here is the minutes provided by the board:

The Meridian Community Unit School District No. 15 Board of Education held a regular meeting in the Board Room, Macon Campus. President Chris Jones called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The following Members were in attendance: Chris Jones, Monte Hogan, Clint Gorden, Adam Herbert, Kara Morey. Members Kraft and Roush were absent. Also in attendance were: Andy Pygott, Superintendent; Eric Hurelbrink, High School Principal; Lori Guebert, Elementary Principal; Mindy McGuire, Middle School Principal and Michelle Miller, Recording Secretary.

The meeting began with a public hearing for the amended 2019-2020 budget.

Administrators gave their reports:

New student registration will take place on August 3, 8:00-2:00 at the attending school. Current student registration will take place online (or walk-in if necessary) beginning August 6. Pre-k and Kindergarten pre-registration was completed through phone calls and electronically. Pre-k has a few spots left and will plan to screen/register again in the fall. HS and MDL school administrators met with the athletic directors and athletic trainer to develop the COVID19 Return to Play Policy: Phase I guidelines that align to guidelines provided by IDPH, ISBE and IHSA. The team then met with coaches to review the Policy. Freshman orientation is tentatively set for August 12, 12:00-3:00 p.m.

Mr. Hurelbrink thanked Lori Huggins and Michelle Miller for their help this year with the Athletic Director role.

Tony Klein and Kaleb Renfro began Behind the Wheel training and are doing a good job playing catch up for those students who have already turned 16.

Mr. Pygott noted that 80% of the roof replacement on the district office wing is complete.

On a motion by Member Morey, seconded by Member Herbert, the consent agenda was approved which consists of May 18, 2020 minutes, May Financial Reports, June disbursements as follows:

Education $281,882.74 Building $14,695.61

Transport $11,115.24 IMRF $8,539.77

Tort $2,581.25 Life Safety $1,185.00

(only includes one payroll) TOTAL: $319,999.61

Also included are the following resignations: Leigh Ann Miller as special education teacher; Mike Houran as MDL asst. girls’ basketball coach; Marie Marsh as bus driver; Rebecca Hutton as district custodian. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

The district will receive $110,097 in CARES Act Emergency Relief Funding.

The Board reviewed the FY21 budget projection and capital projects and/or large maintenance items for FY21.

Demolition of maintenance buildings where the Ag Facility will be built is planned for the near future. Asphalt repair/stripping on the Macon Campus lot will take place after demo is complete.

The Raptor Visitor Entry System will be installed this summer. This entry system requires visitors to have their driver’s license or state ID for first time entry. The system scans the ID and does a background check for permissible entry. COVID19 enhancements are a part of this system. This purchase was approved with CARES funding.

Summer maintenance items include installation of the batting cage, parking lot light replacements and window caulk repair at the elementary.

The Board reviewed the Return to Play Policy.

On a motion by Member Hogan, seconded by Member Gorden, the Board approved the transfer of $22,500.00 from the High-Tech Trust Fund to the Education Fund. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

Reimbursement of $80,000 to the Working Cash Fund from the Transportation Fund was approved on a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Hogan. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

Resolution Regarding Acceptance of Donation from Meridian Ag Foundation was approved on a motion by Member Gorden, seconded by Member Morey. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5- 0.

On a motion by Member Hogan, seconded by Member Gorden, the Board approved the amended 2019-2020 school district budget. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

Member Morey, seconded by Member Gorden, motioned to approve the contractual agreements with the ROE #39 to provide Regional Safe School Services and other alternative school settings. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

2020-2021 school fees were approved as presented on a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Hogan. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

On a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Hogan, the Certificate of Payment provided by Top Quality Roofing was approved. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

On a motion by Member Gorden, seconded by Member Morey, the Board approved the proposal of architectural services from UpChurch Group, Inc. for the Meridian Ag Tech facilities as presented for Phase I and Phase II. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

The Return to Play Policy was approved as presented on a motion by Member Morey, seconded by Member Herbert. Motion carried with 5 ayes.

The Board adjourned to executive session at 8:39 p.m. for the purpose of discussing matters pertaining to the employment, appointment, or dismissal of specific employees or officers, purchase or sale of property, pending legal matters, student discipline and negotiations. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

The Board returned to open session at 9:01 p.m. on a motion by Member Gorden and seconded by Member Herbert.

Andrew Novak was employed as District Counselor for the 2020-2021 school year on a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Gorden. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

Danielle Popis was employed as HS girls’ assistant basketball coach for the 2020-2021 school year dependent on the season taking place on a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Morey. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

Kyle Woolington was employed as MDL girl’s assistant basketball coach for the 2020-2021 school year dependent on the season taking place on a motion by Member Morey, seconded by Member Herbert. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

Member Gorden, seconded by Member Morey, motioned to employ the following spring coaches for the 2020-2021 school year:

Matt Scales, MDL boys’ track; Tricia Campbell, MDL girls track; Ponce Palmer, HS baseball; Ashley Dawson, HS girls’ soccer; Micah Sheppard, HS boys’ track; Denna Williams, HS girls’ track; Greg Streeval, HS softball. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

Member Morey, seconded by Member Gorden, motioned to accept non-certified personnel pay increase schedule for the 2020-2021 school year as presented. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

On a motion by Member Morey, seconded by Member Herbert, the Board accepted the 2% base salary increase for Lori Guebert and Eric Hurelbrink for the 2020-2021 school year. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

The presented executive session minutes will be kept closed due to the sensitive nature of their content on a motion by Member Gorden, seconded by Member Morey. Motion carried on a roll call vote 5-0.

On a motion by Member Herbert, seconded by Member Morey, the meeting adjourned at 9:04 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Monday, July 20, 2020, 6:30 p.m. in the board room.

https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/808311/6-15-20_minutes.pdf